Ice skate sharpening apparatus

ABSTRACT

An ice skate sharpening apparatus that is configured to facilitate the sharpening of the edges of an ice skate blade in a location such as but not limited to an ice rink. The ice skate sharpening apparatus of the present invention includes a body wherein the body includes a first end and a second end. The first end and second end of the body are angled so as to facilitate bracing the ice skate sharpening apparatus against two support surfaces that are perpendicular to each other. A first guide rail and a second guide rail are secured to the bottom surface of the body and extend the length thereof. A void is present between the first guide rail and second guide rail. A sharpening stone is secured to the bottom surface of the body generally around the midpoint of the first guide rail and second guide rail.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to ice skate care and maintenance accessories, more specifically but not by way of limitation a portable ice skate sharpening and cleaning device that provides an ability for an ice skate user to clean and sharpen the blades at locations such as but not limited to an ice rink.

BACKGROUND

As is known in the art, well maintained ice skate blades not only help with performance but can help keep you upright as well. If you see a reflection in the blade's edge under a bright light, you need to sharpen your skates. A light touch of the fingernail down the length of the blade can detect any nicks or defects and check its sharpness. When the ice melts the kinetic energy gets converted to heat and makes the blade glide on the ice. The sharper the edges are, the easier they melt the ice and the hollow will slide smoothly, making your skating fluid. Skate sharpening is perhaps the most crucial ingredient in the skate-care mix, Sharp blades give the skater the ability to establish and control deep edges, as well as the confidence that their blade will provide stability and grip, allowing them to maximize their push. Further, well-sharpened blades promote an ease and consistency to the skater's edge run and quality, creating an effortless feel to their transitional execution.

One issue with maintaining ice skate blades revolves around cost and convenience. It is sometimes recommended that ice skates be taken to a professional in order to sharpen utilizing specialized equipment. This can often result in an inconvenience for the ice skater as they will be unable to use their skates until returned to them. Additionally, professionals can charge fees that some individuals may find prohibitive and as a result may not sharpen their skates frequently enough and as such potentially compromise their performance on the ice.

Accordingly, there is a need for a portable apparatus that is configured to provide sharpening of ice skate blades that can easily be utilized by a skater at any time and at any location.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is the object of the present invention to provide an ice skate sharpening apparatus that is configured to provide sharpening of blades on an ice skate wherein the present invention includes a body member wherein the body member is manufactured from wood or other similar durable material.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a sharpening device operable to provide sharpening of ice skate blades at any location by the user of the ice skates wherein the body includes a first end and a second end that are angular in configuration.

A further object of the present invention is to provide an ice skate sharpening apparatus that is configured to provide sharpening of blades on an ice skate wherein secured to the bottom edge of the body is a first guide rail and a second guide rail.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a sharpening device operable to provide sharpening of ice skate blades at any location by the user of the ice skates wherein the first guide rail and second guide rail have a void therebetween extending the length of the first guide rail and second guide rail.

An additional object of the present invention is to provide an ice skate sharpening apparatus that is configured to provide sharpening of blades on an ice skate wherein the first end and second end of the body member are formed to have an angle of approximately forty-five degrees.

Yet a further object of the present invention is to provide a sharpening device operable to provide sharpening of ice skate blades at any location by the user of the ice skates wherein a sharpening stone is secured to the bottom of the body member being accessible through the void intermediate the first guide rail and second guide rail.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an ice skate sharpening apparatus that is configured to provide sharpening of blades on an ice skate wherein the sharpening stone is secured at an angle to ensure sharpening of the edge of the ice skate blade.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a sharpening device operable to provide sharpening of ice skate blades at any location by the user of the ice skates wherein the first guide rail and second guide rail are manufactured from metal.

To the accomplishment of the above and related objects the present invention may be embodied in the form illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Attention is called to the fact that the drawings are illustrative only. Variations are contemplated as being a part of the present invention, limited only by the scope of the claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A more complete understanding of the present invention may be had by reference to the following Detailed Description and appended claims when taken in conjunction with the accompanying Drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is side perspective view of the present invention; and

FIG. 2 is a bottom view of the present invention with the guide rails partially removed to the sides; and

FIG. 3 is a bottom view of the present invention with the guide rails removed and sharpening stone secured in place.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring now to the drawings submitted herewith, wherein various elements depicted therein are not necessarily drawn to scale and wherein through the views and figures like elements are referenced with identical reference numerals, there is illustrated an ice skate sharpening apparatus 100 constructed according to the principles of the present invention.

An embodiment of the present invention is discussed herein with reference to the figures submitted herewith. Those skilled in the art will understand that the detailed description herein with respect to these figures is for explanatory purposes and that it is contemplated within the scope of the present invention that alternative embodiments are plausible. By way of example but not by way of limitation, those having skill in the art in light of the present teachings of the present invention will recognize a plurality of alternate and suitable approaches dependent upon the needs of the particular application to implement the functionality of any given detail described herein, beyond that of the particular implementation choices in the embodiment described herein. Various modifications and embodiments are within the scope of the present invention.

It is to be further understood that the present invention is not limited to the particular methodology, materials, uses and applications described herein, as these may vary. Furthermore, it is also to be understood that the terminology used herein is used for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only, and is not intended to limit the scope of the present invention. It must be noted that as used herein and in the claims, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” include the plural reference unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Thus, for example, a reference to “an element” is a reference to one or more elements and includes equivalents thereof known to those skilled in the art. All conjunctions used are to be understood in the most inclusive sense possible. Thus, the word “or” should be understood as having the definition of a logical “or” rather than that of a logical “exclusive or” unless the context clearly necessitates otherwise. Structures described herein are to be understood also to refer to functional equivalents of such structures. Language that may be construed to express approximation should be so understood unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

References to “one embodiment”, “an embodiment”, “exemplary embodiments”, and the like may indicate that the embodiment(s) of the invention so described may include a particular feature, structure or characteristic, but not every embodiment necessarily includes the particular feature, structure or characteristic.

Referring in particular to the Figures submitted as a part hereof, the ice skate sharpening apparatus 100 includes a body 10 wherein the body 10 includes a first end 12 and a second end 14. The body 10 further includes a top edge 16 and bottom surface 18. The body 10 is manufactured from a durable rigid material such as but not limited to wood. It should be understood within the scope of the present invention that the body 10 could be provided in various sizes and shapes. A preferred embodiment of the body 10 has the first end 12 and the second end 14 formed at an angle of approximately forty-five degrees. The aforementioned angle of the first end 12 and second end 14 allows the ice skate sharpening apparatus 100 to be placed on a surface such as but not limited to a bench and against a wall. The formed angles of the first end 12 and second end 14 provide a stable connection between two support surfaces that are approximately ninety degrees. This allows a user of the ice skate sharpening apparatus 100 to place the ice skate sharpening apparatus 100 on a bench surface with the opposing end against a wall and stabilize the ice skate sharpening apparatus 100 and use the ice skate sharpening apparatus 100 to facilitate sharpening of a skate blade. It should be understood within the scope of the present invention that the first end 12 and second end 14 could be formed at various angles so as to be mateably secured against two support surfaces in order to provide a steady position of the ice skate sharpening apparatus 100 during use thereof.

Secured to the bottom surface 18 are a first guide rail 20 and a second guide rail 30. The first guide rail 20 is manufactured from a rigid material such as but not limited to aluminum and extends between the first end 12 and second end 14. The first guide rail 20 is secured to the bottom surface 18 utilizing conventional fasteners wherein the fasteners are journaled through the apertures 22 present in the first guide rail. It should be understood within the scope of the present invention that the first guide rail 20 could be secured to the bottom surface 18 utilizing various mechanical or chemical techniques. The second guide rail 30 is manufactured identically to the first guide rail 20 and is secured to the bottom surface 18 in a like manner as the first guide rail 20. The second guide rail 30 is parallel to the first guide rail 20 having a void 40 therebetween. The void 40 has a sufficient width so as to allow an ice skate blade to traverse through the void 40 from the first end 41 to the second end 42.

The ice skate sharpening apparatus 100 includes sharpening stone 50 wherein the sharpening stone 50 is secured to the bottom surface generally around the midpoint between the first end 12 and second end 14. The sharpening stone 50 is a conventional blade sharpening stone that is secured at an angle so as to facilitate the sharpening of the edges of an ice skate blade as the ice skate blade is passed through the void 40. It should be understood within the scope of the present invention that the sharpening stone 50 could be mounted at various angles to facilitate the desired sharpening of the edges of an ice skate blade. The first guide rail 20 includes inset 27 that is sized to accommodate a portion of the sharpening stone 50 therein upon securing of the first guide rail 20 to the bottom surface 18 of the body 10. Similarly, the second guide rail 30 includes inset 37 that provides the necessary space to accommodate the sharpening stone 50 ensuing securing of the second guide rail 30 to the bottom surface 18. It should be understood within the scope of the present invention that the ice skate sharpening apparatus 100 could employ alternate sharpening elements either in conjunction with or in place of the sharpening stone 50 to facilitate the sharpening of edges of an ice skate blade.

In the preceding detailed description, reference has been made to the accompanying drawings that form a part hereof, and in which are shown by way of illustration specific embodiments in which the invention may be practiced. These embodiments, and certain variants thereof, have been described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention. It is to be understood that other suitable embodiments may be utilized and that logical changes may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. The description may omit certain information known to those skilled in the art. The preceding detailed description is, therefore, not intended to be limited to the specific forms set forth herein, but on the contrary, it is intended to cover such alternatives, modifications, and equivalents, as can be reasonably included within the spirit and scope of the appended claims. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A portable ice skate sharpening apparatus operable to provide sharpening of edges of an ice skate blade wherein the apparatus comprises: a body, said body having a first end and a second end, said body having a top, said body having a bottom surface, said body being manufactured from a rigid material; a first guide rail, said first guide rail being secured to said bottom surface of said body, said first guide rail extending along a first edge of said bottom surface, said first guide rail extending between said first end and said second end of said body, said first guide rail having an inner surface; a second guide rail, said second guide rail being secured to said bottom surface of said body and a second edge thereof, said second guide rail being parallel to said first guide rail, said second guide rail extending between said first end and said second end of said body, said second guide rail having an inner surface; a void, said void being present between said inner surface of said first guide rail and said inner surface of said second guide rail, said void having a width sufficient to accommodate an ice skate blade therein; and a sharpening element, said sharpening element being secured to said bottom surface of said body, said sharpening element being accessible via said void, said sharpening element configured to sharpen edges of an ice skate blade being passed through said void.
 2. The portable ice skate sharpening apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein said first end of said body is formed in an angular manner.
 3. The portable ice skate sharpening apparatus as recited in claim 2, wherein said second end of said body is formed in an angular manner.
 4. The portable ice skate sharpening apparatus as recited in claim 3, wherein said first guide rail member further includes an inset, said inset being formed in a top surface of said first guide rail, said top surface being adjacent said bottom surface of said body, said inset configured to accommodate a portion of said sharpening element.
 5. The portable ice skate sharpening apparatus as recited in claim 4, wherein said first end and said second end of said body are formed at an angle of approximately forty-five degrees.
 6. The portable ice skate sharpening apparatus as recited in claim 5, wherein said second guide rail further includes an inset, said inset of said second guide rail being formed in a top surface of said second guide rail, said top surface of said second guide rail being adjacent said bottom surface of said body, said inset of said second guide rail configured to accommodate a portion of said sharpening element.
 7. The portable ice skate sharpening apparatus as recited in claim 6, wherein said sharpening element is a sharpening stone. 